Clyde Gateway accounts, key performance indicators and annual report 2015/16 Building the Legacy ‘...never over-promising and never under-delivering.’ Report by Chair This is the eighth Annual Report Difference’, the booklet that we produced a private sector partner to accelerate produced by Clyde Gateway. It provides in August 2016 specifically to highlight plans for a huge area of previously heavily an overview of our investment in the the outstanding progress in social and contaminated land in Shawfield, with twelve months ended 31 March 2016, economic regeneration. the aim of attracting the biggest and together with a summary of how we have best-known companies operating in the made progress across nine key Despite the fact that Clyde Gateway is most relevant industries and commercial performance indicators. being praised so widely we acknowledge sectors of the 21st century. that a physical makeover alone can ever It is now two years since I accepted the be held up as a success, although the There are a many reasons why Clyde role of Chair of Clyde Gateway. At that extent of the physical changes often make Gateway has gained an excellent point in time, I saw this as a natural the biggest headlines. The 2014 Games reputation, but in essence it all boils down progression from the completion of my can be said to be responsible for the M74, to us never over-promising and never role within the Organising Committee of the East End Regeneration Route (now under-delivering. In doing so, we have the 2014 Commonwealth Games as it renamed as The Clyde Gateway), the gained the widespread support of local allowed me to help ensure that various indoor sports arena, the velodrome and residents who accept and understand promises around legacy, and the the athletes’ village, all of which have that the extent of the task before us is so continued transformation of what had made a massive difference. complex and demanding that it will take historically been some of the most at least two decades of effort. deprived neighbourhoods in the country, The track record of Clyde Gateway is even would be kept. more impressive; in eight years we have on Those very people are therefore placing our own, or through various partnerships: their trust in us to deliver for many more I was fortunate enough to come to an years to come. I will do everything organisation whose own work in parallel - built six office complexes that already possible to ensure Clyde Gateway is in with the preparations and delivery of the support 2,500 jobs in the area; the best possible position to attract the Games had won it a very fine reputation - created Scotland’s best connected finance and resources necessary to for its approach to the task in hand. I know business park adjacent to a main complete the task in hand. from what is now more than 50 years of junction of the M74; experience in industry and public life just - attracted some of the most innovative This is Scotland’s biggest, boldest and how difficult a task it really is to balance and fastest-growing companies to the most ambitious regeneration programme. the demands, expectations and hopes east end and Rutherglen; It is something I am both proud and of so many different interest groups and - completed four top-quality community privileged to be part of. stakeholders. The team at Clyde Gateway buildings – the Olympia, the Legacy has consistently displayed a sure touch Hub, No.18 and Church House - that Lord Smith of Kelvin that has been appreciated, and indeed are used on a daily basis by thousands October 2016 lauded, by politicians, business leaders of local residents; and and, most importantly of all, local residents - opened a Woodland Park, in the heart whose voices have been listened to from of an urban area, with at least one of the very outset. its many attractions being unique in Scotland. There is a great story to be told about what has been happening within the east Much more is in the pipeline, not least end of Glasgow and neighbouring South another 500 new homes on a highly Lanarkshire over the past eight years. This prominent riverside and main road site annual report captures a flavour of it but in Dalmarnock that has lain derelict for it is best read in parallel with ‘Making A almost forty years. We have attracted 2 3 There is no ambiguity about this statement. Our joint work with the Forestry Report by It is a commitment to the long-term nature Commission Scotland has led to the of this particular regeneration effort as well creation of the spectacular Cuningar as endorsement of the approach which has Woodland Park which has completely Chief Executive always emphasised that physical change transformed a huge site of formerly alone will never be enough. derelict land on the banks of the Clyde. The park has a range of attractions and Our chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, has activities for all ages, including a unique Clyde Gateway, being a three way partnership between Glasgow made the point that there is a great story Activity Zone which, among other things, City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise to be told about what has been happening is home to Scotland’s first ever and backed by direct funding from the Scottish Government, in the east end and South Lanarkshire ever Bouldering Park. has always been aware of the importance of securing political since Clyde Gateway was established, support for all of our work and activities. so much so that we published ‘Making Another innovative partnership, with the a Difference’ in August 2016 to highlight Church of Scotland and backed by a In one of her last acts as a government minister before standing the extent that the local community is substantial grant from the Scottish down in advance of the May 2016 election, Margaret Burgess prepared to endorse our efforts. Much Government, has led to the construction MSP, the Minister for Housing and Welfare, announced that of what now follows in the latest of our of a new building for Church House, Clyde Gateway was to receive an additional £3 million to support Annual Reports are further endorsements, a charity which, since 1942 has been a key further development of vacant and derelict sites in Dalmarnock, this time from investors, developers and part of the local voluntary sector providing Rutherglen and Shawfield to create and sustain social and those who in recent years have chosen to services to address poverty, deprivation economic growth. make Clyde Gateway their home in which and a lack of opportunity for young people to do business. living in Bridgeton, Camlachie and The finance was, of course, a huge and very welcome boost to our Dalmarnock. The new building is now efforts, but much more important and encouraging were the words One of the most striking things about the right in the heart of the Bridgeton area, that accompanied the announcement:: past 18 months is the extent to which relocating the service from what had long businesses have committed to the been a rundown and isolated building Clyde Gateway area. The move by Police following large-scale demolitions back It is vital we continue the Scotland to its new Clyde Gateway in the 1970s and 80s. offices at the beginning of 2015 has been regeneration of South Lanarkshire followed by MadeBrave®, Peebles Media These are just two examples of the types and SPIE bringing their operations to of innovative, community-led projects that and Glasgow’seast end, which will new offices in Bridgeton and Rutherglen we are delivering right across the Clyde serve to maintain the long-term while MEPC has demonstrated its Gateway area and we will continue to seek commitment to the area by making a out the views and opinions of local people legacy of the Commonwealth sizable investment in expanding the to deliver more of the same in the years number of units at Clyde Gateway East ahead of us. Games. Business Park. The number of property enquiries we are receiving is at an all-time The time is edging towards 2018 and what high and there have been occasions will be the halfway point of our projected Since long before the Games took when the Red Tree Business Suites have 20-year lifespan. There has been a experienced 100% occupancy, all of satisfying amount of progress thus far place, we have witnessed a steady which has led us to advance plans to build but many more difficult and complex transformation of an area once additional office spaces over the coming challenges are lying in wait for us. years to meet this growing demand. The good news is that every member of viewed as one of Scotland’s most Clyde Gateway, board members and staff deprived. The scale and quality of the transformation alike, are determined to remain unstinting has been remarkable, always seeking to in our efforts to face these head-on and balance the needs and demands of local find innovative and imaginative ways to people alongside the expectations and ensure a lasting and sustainable legacy We have taken care to ensure the requirements of those who are looking to can be widely experienced and enjoyed. transformation is more than an grow and expand their business or activity. The creation of community assets has Ian Manson urban makeover. Its purpose is to been every bit at the top our agenda as October 2016 the delivery of commercial spaces and tackle inequalities, create jobs and factory units while investing in people opportunities, ultimately improving remains as much a priority as spending the necessary tens of millions on the lives of those who live in the decontamination and infrastructure area.